AGP Executive Report

Education Reform in Togo: About 2.9 million learners returned to school on Sept. 14 as the 2026-2027 year rolls out career-focused lessons from primary school and new school FabLabs for robotics, programming and 3D printing, alongside science-focused middle and high schools. New Public University: University of Datcha (about 130 km north of Lomé) opened applications for its first cohort, with bachelor tracks spanning economics, agronomy, environmental studies, and technology/innovation. Anti-Trafficking Push (Benin–Nigeria–Togo and more): NAPTIP and France-backed Expertise France launched the PROTECT regional project to disrupt trafficking networks using digital tools, targeting prevention, prosecution and victim protection across five countries including Togo. Russian Language Momentum in Lomé: Students completed a two-month Russian course at the Russian-Togolese Alternative (ART) association, with a one-year course set to begin in October and university courses planned from 2026/27. Culture & Sports: Lomé hosted a basketball tournament by the Russian-Togolese Alternative to mark the 1972 USSR–USA Olympic final, while regional youth football continues to spotlight young talent and referees ahead of WAFU-B U17 Girls action.

Education & Skills: Togo welcomed about 2.9 million students back to school on Sept. 14 as the 2026-2027 year rolls out career-oriented lessons from primary level and FabLabs to boost tech skills, alongside new science-focused middle and high schools. Anti-Trafficking (Benin–Togo–Nigeria focus): NAPTIP and France’s Expertise France launched the PROTECT project across Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Togo to disrupt trafficking networks that increasingly recruit and exploit victims through digital platforms. Regional Sports (WAFU-B U17 Girls): WAFU-B selected 14 young referees for the U17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, while Ghana’s Black Maidens and Nigeria’s Flamingos head to Yamoussoukro for a tournament seen as key World Cup preparation. Health Leadership: Togolese Professor Palokinam Pitché took over as president of the West African Health Organisation (OOAS), bringing clinical and HIV/AIDS experience to the region’s 2026-2030 health agenda. Culture & Diplomacy: Egypt’s new ambassador to Togo, Shahinaz Abuseri, presented credentials as ties deepen in trade, investment and education. Global Lifestyle/Representation: The UN backed a new “Equal Earth” world map approach to better reflect Africa’s true size, with Togo leading the push.

Education Reform: Togo welcomed about 2.9 million students back to class on Sept. 14 as the 2026-2027 school year rolls out career-oriented lessons from primary school, school FabLabs for robotics, programming and 3D printing, and new science-focused middle and high schools. Health Leadership: Togolese Professor Palokinam Pitché took over as president of the West African Health Organisation (OOAS), bringing clinical and research experience to the 2026-2030 regional health agenda. Tech & Women in Innovation: Hyperscalers Convergence Africa 2026 wrapped with an action agenda for Africa’s digital infrastructure, highlighting 100 women leaders across telecoms, cloud, data centres, policy and finance. Anti-Trafficking: NAPTIP and Expertise France launched the PROTECT project to strengthen anti-human trafficking work across Benin, Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo. Diplomacy & Trade: Egypt’s new ambassador to Togo, Shahinaz Abuseri, presented credentials in Lomé, aiming to deepen economic and investment ties. Sports & Youth: WAFU-B selected young referees for the U17 Girls tournament in Yamoussoukro, while Lomé also hosted a basketball event commemorating the 1972 USSR–USA Olympic match. Global Culture Talk: The UN’s “Equal Earth” push to better represent Africa’s size sparked debate, with Togo leading the resolution backed by the African Union.

Diplomatic Boost for Lomé: Egypt’s new ambassador, Shahinaz Abuseri, presented her credentials to Togo’s FM Robert Dussey, promising stronger ties in trade, investment and diplomacy—though Togo’s imports from Egypt still dwarf its exports. Cartography & Identity: The UN’s “Correct the Map” push is back in the spotlight after Togo-led support helped secure a 164–1 vote for more accurate world mapping of Africa, with debate over how projections like Equal Earth change perceptions. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Togolese journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo was kidnapped and assaulted after being mistaken for someone else, and CPJ is urging authorities to investigate and protect media workers. Tech & Women in STEM: Togolese entrepreneur Medede Bidassa’s Laitify uses sensors and AI for dairy farming, while her “Amazing Girls on Tech” program trains girls for tech careers. Sports & Youth: Ghana’s U-17 women’s team departed for the WAFU B Cup in Yamoussoukro, with Togo among the round-robin opponents; Lomé also hosted a basketball tournament marking the 1972 USSR–USA Olympic match. Community & Culture: A Lomé basketball event and a growing festival culture—from Rosslyn Jazz Fest vibes to African arts celebrations abroad—keep culture moving beyond borders.

Togo & Press Freedom: CPJ urges Togolese authorities to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo after armed men released him hours later, saying it was a case of mistaken identity—another warning sign for media safety. Education & Food Systems: Togo plans to boost school canteens with locally grown foods, aiming to improve nutrition while creating steady demand for farmers. Tech & Women in STEM: Togolese entrepreneur Medede Bidassa (Laitify) is using sensors and AI for dairy farming, and also runs programs to get more girls into technology. Culture & Community: The African Festival of Arts and Culture returns to Iowa City with music, dance, food and art from 20+ African countries, including Togolese community partners. Regional Security Watch: A report highlights how border life between Ghana and Burkina Faso can be exploited by violent extremists, calling for stronger protection in frontier markets. Global Spotlight on Africa’s Size: The UN’s “Correct the Map” push—led by Togo—keeps making waves as more institutions consider adopting more accurate projections like Equal Earth.

Russian Influence & Culture: Rossotrudnichestvo plans to expand its “Russian House” network to 11 centres across 10 countries, with eight new hubs in Africa including Togo—using local NGOs, cultural groups and universities to keep the model flexible. Press Freedom in Togo: CPJ urges Togo to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo, saying he was released after attackers realized they had the wrong target. Tech & Women in Tech: Togolese entrepreneur Medede Bidassa’s Laitify uses sensors, QR traceability and AI to support dairy farmers, while her “Amazing Girls on Tech” program trains girls for careers in technology. Education & Food Security: Togo plans to boost school canteen meals with more locally grown produce, aiming to strengthen local agriculture and improve pupils’ nutrition. Regional Culture & Diplomacy: A Francophonie Summit in Cambodia is framed as a chance to deepen South-South ties, with Togo highlighted as a practical bridge between regions. Sports (Regional Spotlight): Nigeria’s Falconets face New Caledonia in a must-win U-20 Women’s World Cup group match, with WAFU U-17 Girls preparations also underway.

Togo & Tech Spotlight: Medede Bidassa, co-founder and CEO of Lomé dairy-tech startup Laitify, is using sensors, QR traceability and AI to track cattle health and milk output—while also pushing girls into tech through Amazing Girls on Tech. Press Freedom: Togolese journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo was kidnapped and assaulted after armed men mistook him for someone else, prompting the Committee to Protect Journalists to demand investigations and stronger safety for media workers. Culture & Learning: Lomé marked International Literacy Day with an Olympiad on the Russian language, showing how language learning keeps expanding beyond classrooms. Environment & Community Safety: Ghana’s Weto Platform warns that borrow pits and river excavation in the Akwapim-Togo Mountain Range are threatening slopes, roads, water quality and local livelihoods. Sports (Regional): Nigeria’s Falconets and Flamingos face crucial WAFU/World Cup-style assignments, with calls for focus as qualification hopes hinge on key matches. Food & School Life (Togo): Togo plans to boost school canteens with more locally grown foods to improve nutrition and support farmers.

Togo-Led UN Map Push: The UN General Assembly adopted the “Correct the Map” resolution (164-1), urging wider use of more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth—an Africa-led win that Togo helped drive. School Nutrition in Togo: The government plans to boost school canteen use of locally grown foods (like yams) to improve pupils’ meals and support Togolese farmers, with hot-meal coverage rising in places like Savanes. Girls’ Education Support: Togo launched its second school kit campaign for 150,000+ girls under SWEDD+, expanding to 1,500+ localities with World Bank backing. Togo AI for Public Services: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to manage public-sector AI projects, including tools for local languages and satellite-image applications. Press Freedom in Togo: CPJ urges authorities to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo after he was released when the men realized they had the wrong target. Environmental Watch: Weto Platform warns of threats to the Akwapim-Togo Mountain Range from borrow pits and river works around Tsito-Anyirawase and Hohoe-Satrokofi, citing risks to slopes, roads, water and farming. Culture & Influence: Russia plans to expand “Russian Houses” across Africa, including Togo, to grow language, education and cultural ties.

Cartography & Identity: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” by 164 votes to 1, urging schools and digital platforms to use more accurate equal-area projections so Africa isn’t visually shrunk like on Mercator. Press Freedom: Togolese journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo was kidnapped and assaulted in a mistaken-identity case; CPJ calls for investigations and stronger protection for media workers. Education & Nutrition: Togo plans to boost school canteen use of locally grown foods, aiming to improve pupils’ meals while creating steady demand for farmers. Girls’ Access to School: Togo launched its second school kit campaign for 150,000+ girls under SWEDD+, expanding coverage to 1,500+ localities. Tech for Public Services: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools for local languages. Culture & Sports: End of the Road Festival 2026 wrapped with CMAT’s finale; meanwhile, WAFU B U-17 Girls action is set as Flamingos open against Ghana.

UN Map Shift (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push, voting 164-1 (with 6 abstentions) to encourage more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth, aiming to stop Africa from looking artificially small on the Mercator map. Education & Food (Togo): Togo plans to boost school canteens using locally grown foods to improve nutrition and create steady demand for farmers, alongside a second school kit campaign for 150,000+ girls. Public-Sector Tech (Togo): Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools for local languages and agriculture using satellite data. Agriculture Upgrade (Adidome): Stakeholders in Central Tongu are calling to upgrade Adidome Farm Institute into a specialized Agric and Veterinary college. Culture & Influence (Russia): Russia says it will expand “Russian Houses” across Africa, including Togo, as part of a broader cultural and educational outreach. Sports (Region): WAFU B U-17 Girls Championship kicks off with Ghana vs Nigeria, with Togo in the mix, while Flamingos begin their campaign against Ghana on Sept. 16. Lifestyle/Travel: Nigeria’s passport ranks 90th on the Henley Index, with 44 destinations accessible without prior visa appointments.

Cartography & Identity: The UN General Assembly has adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution (164-1, with 6 abstentions), encouraging schools, media and tech platforms to use more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth—aimed at ending centuries of Mercator distortion that made Africa look smaller. Public Service AI: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a renewable one-year technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects in Lomé, including tools using satellite imagery and work supporting local languages. Education for Girls: Togo launched its second school kit distribution campaign for girls, expanding to 150,000+ beneficiaries across 1,500+ localities under the SWEDD+ program. Agriculture & Jobs: Stakeholders in Central Tongu are pushing to upgrade Adidome Farm Institute into a specialised Agric and Veterinary college, arguing it should not be absorbed into TVET. Culture & Influence: Russia plans to expand its “Russian Houses” cultural centres across Africa, including Togo, as Ukraine warns of a wider recruitment agenda. Sports & Community: Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns for its 34th year with an international lineup and global sounds, plus food and local vendors. International Mobility: The UK raised minimum living-cost requirements for student visas for applicants from 15 West African countries, effective Nov. 30, 2026.

Education & Youth Empowerment: Togo kicked off its second school kit campaign for girls under SWEDD+, expanding to 150,000+ beneficiaries across 1,500+ localities, with support from the World Bank. Agriculture & Livelihoods: Togo also reported stronger farmer financing and training in early 2026, including CFAF 170 million in input loans for nearly 900 farmers and seed/kit support plus “learning wheels” sessions. Culture & Diplomacy: Cambodia and Togo held their first foreign ministry consultations in Lomé, exploring cooperation in trade, agriculture, tourism, air links and Francophone ties. Sports & Community: Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns for its 34th year this weekend, spotlighting global sounds and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Global Spotlight (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” push led by Togo and the AU, voting 164-1 to encourage more accurate equal-area map projections. Social Inclusion: Togo’s Council of Ministers adopted a draft law to strengthen rights and protections for people with disabilities, including access to health, education, work and mobility.

Agriculture & Inclusion: Togo is ramping up support for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs, with Ecobank input loans (about CFAF 170m to nearly 900 farmers), seed and cutting kits, and training for thousands—plus targeted help for women, youth and people with disabilities. Education Reform: Career-oriented classes are set to start in upper primary and science-focused middle/high schools from 2026-2027, with professionals, company visits and “science weeks” to link learning to real jobs. Disability Rights: The Council of Ministers adopted a draft law to strengthen protections and inclusion for people with disabilities, including access to health, education, work, mobility and social protection, with extra safeguards for women and children. Girls’ School Support: SWEDD+ Togo plans to distribute kits to over 150,000 girls in 1,500+ communities for 2026-2027. Global Culture & Identity: The UN backed Togo-led “Correct the Map” using the Equal Earth projection, with the US the only vote against—sparking debate about representation and “cognitive justice.” International Mobility: The UK raised student visa living-cost requirements for applicants from 15 West African countries, effective Nov. 30, 2026.

Cartography & Education: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution, endorsing the Equal Earth projection to portray Africa’s true size more accurately; the vote was 164–1 with six abstentions, and the US was the only no. Local Reality Check: A Togolese op-ed argues the map push is out of sync with crumbling public schools, where dilapidated classrooms threaten students’ safety. Disability Rights: Togo’s Council of Ministers adopted a draft law to strengthen protections and inclusion for people with disabilities, including access to health, education, work, and safeguards for women and children. Girls’ School Support: Togo plans to expand its SWEDD+ school kit distribution, targeting 150,000+ girls in 2026–2027 across 1,500+ communities. Career-Focused Schooling: Togo will introduce career-oriented classes from upper primary and science-focused middle/high schools starting 2026–2027, with sessions led by professionals and planned visits. Health & Jobs: A UN-backed workshop in Togo and other countries aims to help measure health spending as an economic investment, not just a cost. Sports & Culture: Japan’s autumn sports calendar heats up, while West Africa’s first Youth Days in Ghana brings thousands of young Catholics together around peace and hope.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push, voting 164–1 (with six abstentions) to encourage use of the Equal Earth projection so Africa no longer appears artificially small on common world maps; the US was the lone “no,” calling it ideological. Court & Justice: An Accra Circuit Court ordered police to file disclosures in the Labone attempted robbery case involving Augustine Okechuku Maazi, who faces multiple counts and remains in custody pending a Sept. 16 return. Education for Work: Togo will roll out career-oriented classes from 2026–2027, starting in upper primary and science-focused middle/high schools, with practical sessions led by professionals. Disability Rights: Togo’s Council of Ministers adopted a draft law to strengthen protections and inclusion for people with disabilities, including access to health, education, work, and political participation. Girls’ School Support: Togo expands its girls’ school kit distribution under SWEDD+ Togo, targeting 150,000+ girls across 1,500+ communities for 2026–2027. Culture & Community: The 33rd CEANA Convention in the diaspora spotlighted Ewe heritage and economic vision during its Kete Banquet.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push, endorsing the Equal Earth projection to better reflect Africa’s true relative size; 164 countries voted in favour, the US was the only no, and six abstained—while the resolution stays non-binding and doesn’t ban Mercator. Togo’s Cost Debate: Critics say Togo’s campaign to win the vote cost taxpayers about $2 million, turning a symbolic win into a sovereignty-and-spending argument. Health & Local Industry: African drugmakers and researchers are linking local production to sickle cell care, with WHO urging wider access to hydroxyurea and child-friendly formulations. Digital Skills in the Region: CSquared moved Liberia’s Ganta broadband and training programme from a grant pilot to a commercial service with Microsoft support, adding community Wi‑Fi and a school learning lab. Culture & Identity: The 33rd CEANA Convention in the US spotlighted Ewe heritage with major cultural performances and a renewed call for diaspora investment. Lifestyle Pop Culture: “Kagurabachi” announced details for its anime world tour, including premiere screenings in Johannesburg and Melbourne.